Share

Art in Bloom at the MFA

50th Anniversary of Spring Event

By: - Mar 18, 2026

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), celebrates the return of spring with the 50th anniversary of its beloved Art in Bloom festival, taking place from Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 3. Since 1976, this annual celebration has paired art from the MFA’s collection—from ancient to contemporary—with floral interpretations created by New England garden clubs, professional designers, and MFA floral volunteers.
This milestone year coincides with the MFA’s major spring exhibition, Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination, an immersive journey through the Museum’s global collection that centers the garden as a fertile place for human creativity and imaginative possibility (on view through June 28).
In addition to 50 interpretive arrangements throughout the galleries, highlights include a master class with florist and gardener Kim Lamothe, of Newport's Greenlion Design. New this year, the Art in Bloom Family Day on Sunday, May 3, offers free admission for Boston students and their families through the City of Boston’s Boston Family Days program.
Art in Bloom begins with a special preview of freshly installed arrangements on Thursday, April 30. On Saturday and Sunday, Art in Bloom Guides will circulate the galleries, sharing insights about the floral designs and the artwork that inspired them.
Art in Bloom is included with general admission, and tickets can be purchased in advance on mfa.org. Master classes require advance registration and can be booked online.

Schedule of Activities

  • Preview Day | Thursday, April 30
    Art in Bloom will launch with a preview of freshly installed arrangements, giving visitors their first opportunity to discover this year’s art and floral pairings.
     
  • Art in Bloom Café | Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3
    A pop-up café in the Koch Gallery (250) will be open throughout the weekend, serving special food and beverage offerings. 
     
  • Master Classes with Kim Lamothe of Greenlion | Saturday, May 2 (10:30 am and 2 pm)
    Master florist and gardener Kim Lamothe of Greenlion, out of Newport, RI, will lead an in-depth floral design workshop. Participants will work with seasonal blooms to create a refined arrangement, with an emphasis on form, movement, and natural elegance. Advance registration is required.
     
  • Art in Bloom Guides | Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 (10:30 am-4:30 pm)
    On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can discover more about the floral designs and the artwork that inspired them by connecting with volunteer Art in Bloom guides in the galleries.
     
  • Member Night | Saturday, May 2 (6–10 pm)
    Members are invited to an exclusive evening viewing of Art in Bloom with free guided tours, art-making activities, live music, dining, and shopping, and access to all galleries and exhibitions, including Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination. Advance registration is required; tickets are free for members and available on mfa.org.
     
  • Art in Bloom Family Day | Sunday, May 3 (10 am-4 pm
    Boston students and their families enjoy free admission on Sunday, May 3, through the City of Boston’s Boston Family Days program. Special Art in Bloom activities include drop-in art making, story hour, an interactive session with floral designer Jimmy Guzman, and a LEGO flower-building experience presented by LEGO Discovery Center Boston.
Art in Bloom is sponsored by the MFA Associates and PNC Bank. Additional support is provided by Arbella Insurance Foundation, Print House, Yellow Wood Partners, and The Newbury of Brookline. Media partner is Boston magazine.
Back to Front Page Section Home